Does the Bible Warn Against a Later Revelation?

Yes. Galatians 1:8Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionBut though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source says that if Paul, or an angel from heaven, preaches any other gospel than the one already preached, let him be accursed. 1 John 2:221 John 2:22 · King James VersionWho is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.1 John 2:22 · King James VersionOpen the Source names the liar as the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ, and joins that denial with denying the Father and the Son.

Key Points

• Galatians 1:6–7Galatians 1:6–7 · King James Version^1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: ^1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.Galatians 1:6–7 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the churches were turning to another gospel, which is not another, because some were perverting the gospel of Christ.
• Galatians 1:8–9Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionBut though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source repeats the sentence: another gospel, whether from the apostles or from an angel from heaven, or from anyone else, brings the curse. The test is the gospel already received.
• 1 John 2:22–231 John 2:22 · King James VersionWho is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.1 John 2:22 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the one who denies the Son does not have the Father. 1 John 4:1–31 John 4:1–3 · King James Version^4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ^4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ^4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.1 John 4:1–3 · King James VersionOpen the Source says to try the spirits, and the confession is that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.
• 2 Corinthians 11:142 Corinthians 11:14 · King James VersionAnd no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.2 Corinthians 11:14 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. An angelic appearance is not, by itself, the test.
• Joseph Smith—History 1:33Joseph Smith—History 1:33 · English on churchofjesuschrist.orgHe called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.Joseph Smith—History 1:33 · English on churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen the Source says the messenger named himself Moroni and said God had a work for Joseph Smith to do. Sahih al-Bukhari 3Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanNarrated 'Aisha (the mother of the faithful believers): The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food likewise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I do not know how to read." The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, 'I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?' Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists), created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones." Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen the Source says an angel came in the cave of Hira and commanded Muhammad to read. Qur’an 4:157Qur’an 4:157 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allāh." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.Qur’an 4:157 · Saheeh InternationalOpen the Source says Jesus was not killed and was not crucified.
• 1 Corinthians 15:3–41 Corinthians 15:3–4 · King James Version^15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ^15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · King James VersionOpen the Source is the gospel Paul says he received and delivered: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose the third day. Jesus is God.

What Galatians 1:8 Means

Galatians 1:6–9Galatians 1:6–9 · King James Version^1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: ^1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ^1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ^1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.Galatians 1:6–9 · King James VersionOpen the Source, King James Version:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:6–9 · King James Version

The “other gospel” is not a second message that stands beside the first. Verse 7 says it is not another. It is a perversion of the gospel of Christ. The speakers Paul includes are “we,” the apostles, and “an angel from heaven,” and then, in verse 9, “any man.” The measure is “that which we have preached” and “that ye have received.” A later claim does not get a fresh start because the messenger is impressive.

“Let him be accursed” is Paul’s sentence, stated twice. The Greek word behind “accursed” is the word the church later wrote as anathema: given over to God’s judgment. The verse does not ask the churches to invent a penalty. It says the preacher of another gospel stands under that curse, even if the preacher is an apostle or an angel.

Jeremiah 1:8Jeremiah 1:8 · King James VersionBe not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source is a different verse. There the LORD tells Jeremiah not to be afraid of the faces of the people, because he is with him. The numbers match. The books do not.

The Confession in 1 John

1 John 4:1–31 John 4:1–3 · King James Version^4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ^4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ^4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.1 John 4:1–3 · King James VersionOpen the Source tells the readers not to believe every spirit, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. The test is a confession: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that is not of God. 1 John 2:22–231 John 2:22 · King James VersionWho is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.1 John 2:22 · King James VersionOpen the Source names the liar as the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ, calls him antichrist, and says that the one who denies the Son does not have the Father.

The Qur’an does call Jesus the Messiah. Qur’an 3:45Qur’an 3:45 · Saheeh International[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allāh gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allāh].Qur’an 3:45 · Saheeh InternationalOpen the Source uses that title, and What Does Messiah Mean? is the word in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Gospels. The same Qur’an denies that God has a Son, and Qur’an 4:157Qur’an 4:157 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allāh." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.Qur’an 4:157 · Saheeh InternationalOpen the Source says they did not kill the Messiah and did not crucify him. First John does not stop at the title Christ. It joins the Christ with the Son, and with Jesus Christ come in the flesh. A confession that keeps the title and refuses the Son is the denial verse 23 names.

2 Corinthians 11:142 Corinthians 11:14 · King James VersionAnd no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.2 Corinthians 11:14 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. The warning is not that every angelic report is false. It is that light, rank, and a heavenly claim are not the test. The gospel already preached is the test.

An Angel, a Cave, and a Later Explanation

Latter-day Saints receive Joseph Smith’s revelations as scripture beside the Bible. Joseph Smith—History 1:33Joseph Smith—History 1:33 · English on churchofjesuschrist.orgHe called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.Joseph Smith—History 1:33 · English on churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen the Source says the personage “called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do.” Joseph Smith and Revelation quotes that history and the church’s account of the Book of Mormon. Galatians 1:8 was written to churches that already had the gospel. A messenger from the presence of God, bringing a further work, is the case the verse names: an angel, and another message.

Muslims receive the Qur’an as God’s word, brought to Muhammad. Sahih al-Bukhari 3Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanNarrated 'Aisha (the mother of the faithful believers): The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food likewise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I do not know how to read." The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, 'I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?' Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists), created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones." Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.Sahih al-Bukhari 3 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen the Source says the Truth descended on him in the cave of Hira, the angel told him to read, and he said he did not know how to read. The angel pressed him three times. What Was Muhammad’s First Revelation? stays with that report. The hadith calls the visitor an angel. It does not, in the lines quoted on that page, narrate a cross or a resurrection. Qur’an 4:157Qur’an 4:157 · Saheeh InternationalAnd [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allāh." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.Qur’an 4:157 · Saheeh InternationalOpen the Source, Saheeh International, says of Jesus, “they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him.” 1 Corinthians 15:3–41 Corinthians 15:3–4 · King James Version^15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ^15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · King James VersionOpen the Source is what Paul says he delivered first: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose. Those are not the same message about the same Jesus. Is the Holy Spirit the Angel Gabriel in Islam? is the Islamic reading that identifies the spirit who brought revelation with Gabriel.

Jehovah’s Witnesses hold the Bible as God’s word and teach that Jesus is the first creation, not God Almighty, and that the holy spirit is God’s active force. Is the Holy Spirit a Person? quotes Insight on the Scriptures on that sentence. How Have Watchtower Teachings Changed? shows later Watchtower articles rewriting who “this generation” is in Matthew 24:34. Galatians 1:8 is not a ban on learning a verse more carefully. It is a ban on another gospel. A Christ who is a creature, and a gospel that sets that Christ under Jehovah as a lesser god, is not the gospel in which the Word was God. John 1 and the Word is that difference in their New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible).

The three claims are not the same claim. Latter-day Saints add a messenger and more books. Muslims add a recitation that denies the crucifixion. Jehovah’s Witnesses reread the books the church already had. Galatians 1:8–9 measures each one by the gospel already preached, not by the dignity of the messenger.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Galatians 1:8 Mean?

It means that a different gospel is under a curse even when an apostle or an angel from heaven is the one preaching it. The gospel that judges the new message is the one the Galatians had already received.

What Does “Let Him Be Accursed” Mean?

Paul says it twice, in Galatians 1:8Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionBut though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source and Galatians 1:9Galatians 1:9 · King James VersionAs we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.Galatians 1:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The preacher of another gospel is given over to God’s judgment. The churches are not told to design a punishment. The sentence is the curse itself.

Is Galatians 1:8 God’s Curse?

The letter says “let him be accursed,” in the apostle’s own words, about anyone who preaches another gospel. It is Paul’s verdict, written as an apostle of Christ, and he includes himself in the “we” who would fall under it.

What About Jeremiah 1:8?

Jeremiah 1:8Jeremiah 1:8 · King James VersionBe not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source is the LORD telling Jeremiah not to fear the people, because he is with him to deliver him. It is not Galatians 1:8, and it is not a saying about a later gospel.